Fire grant news from FEMA
Each month, FEMA supplies information regarding the management of current Assistance to Firefighters Grants, as well as helpful details on upcoming grant opportunities.
In this month’s update:
- FY 2023 AFG Programs Status Update
- FEMA GO Integration with Login.gov
- Did You Know? – FEMA GO has reached full operational capability
- NERIS Update
- DHS Civil Rights Evaluation Tool Technical Assistance
- May Fire Prevention Message – Home Fire Sprinklers
- Grants Management Training
- Closeout module available in FEMA GO
- AFGP Success Stories
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FY 2023 AFG Programs Status Update
Fiscal Year 2023 AFG Applications
The FY 2023 AFG application period closed on March 8, 2024. A total of 7,962 applications were submitted with a total requested federal share amount of $3.72 billion. Pre-score of all applications is complete. The first peer review panel was held the week of April 15. A second iteration of peer panel review will be conducted the week of May 6. Once peer review is complete, the applications that score high enough will enter the technical review phase of the application review process. This is one of the final stages of review before applications are recommended for award.
Fiscal Year 2023 SAFER Applications
The FY 2023 SAFER application periods closed on April 12, 2024. A total of 2,161applications were submitted with a total requested federal share of just more than $3.3 billion. Applications are currently in the pre-score phase of the review process. The peer review panel for 2023 SAFER applications will be held the week of June 10. Once peer review is complete, the applications that score high enough will enter the technical review phase of the application review process. This is one of the final stages of review before applications are recommended for award.
Fiscal Year 2023 FP&S Applications
The FY 2023 and FP&S application period closed on April 12, 2024. A total of 1,027applications were submitted with a total requested federal share just more than $163 million.Applications are currently in the pre-score phase of the review process. The peer review panel for 2023 FP&S applications is scheduled for the week of June 3. Once peer review is complete, the applications that score high enough will enter the technical review phase of the application review process. This is one of the final stages of review before applications are recommended for award.
FEMA is Changing the Way External Users will Log In to FEMA GO
To improve security and comply with Executive Order 14028 on Improving the Nation’s Cybersecurity, FEMA’s Chief Information Officer has directed that all FEMA systems implement Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) for user login. MFA is enabled for FEMA employees through Personal Identity Verification (PIV) cards, but it is needed for FEMA GO external login-ID and password users.
FEMA GO will increase its security protection goals through an integration with login.govscheduled for early July 2024. This date was selected to attempt to avoid the bulk of open funding opportunities while still meeting Agency guidance as soon as practical. At that time, external users will be required to access FEMA GO using their personal login.gov account. FEMA employees will continue to access FEMA GO with their PIV-card.
Over the coming weeks, the FEMA GO Team will contact external users who have existing FEMA GO accounts about this security change. Training materials on how to set up a login.gov account will be provided, and we will be sending weekly messages with reminders and tips. Once users have a login.gov account, we’ll be asking specifically them to ensure that the email they use for their FEMA GO account is added to their login.gov profile to avoid any sync issues. Once the emails are aligned between both systems, FEMA GO login should be seamless.
For questions related to the adoption of login.gov, users are encouraged to contact the FEMA GO Help Desk. The FEMA GO Help Desk hours of operation are Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET. The Help Desk accepts phone calls at (877) 585-3242 and emails at [email protected].
Did You Know? FEMA GO Reached Full Operational Capability
The FEMA Grants Management Modernization (GMM) Program reached full operational capability (FOC) on March 29, 2024, with the release of full lifecycle grant management capabilities in FEMA GO for all FEMA grant programs.
Pamela Williams, Assistant Administrator of the Grant Programs Directorate, stated “This is such a significant accomplishment and will have a tremendous impact on how we help people.”
GMM’s journey started in March 2016, with a foundational requirement to build a single grants management system, FEMA GO, that can be configured to support FEMA’s grants portfolio.
To date, FEMA GO is supporting over 84 thousand users, is supporting, or has completed configuration to support 36 of FEMA’s 40 grant programs, has supported 57 funding opportunities, obligated $5.3 billion of grant awards, and has processed $2.1 billion payments.
As the remaining grant programs determine when to onboard, FEMA is committed to providing training resources and technical support to new and current users. Self-guided training resources are available regarding any stage of the grants management life cycle on the FEMA Grants Outcomes Webpage, including:
- Startup Guide – This guide provides instructions for new users to register in FEMA GO, log into the system, manage their organization, and manage pending registrations.
- Application Guide – Once you’re set up with the FEMA GO system, view the Application Guide for instructions on how to start an application and complete the sections required.
- FEMA GO Pass-through Application and Subapplication Process User Guide – This guide will assist programs that have both applications and subapplications.
For additional training resources, visit the FEMA GO Guides – YouTube playlist to watch FEMA GO tutorial videos.
National Emergency Response Information System (NERIS) Update
The more than 1,250 comments received during the national engagement period on the core NERIS data schemas have been adjudicated. The national engagement period was open for 60 days and closed on Feb. 16.
On March 12, the U.S. Fire Administration convened the three NERIS stakeholder panels in Dallas, Texas for a two-day workshop on NERIS requirements. At the same time, USFA announced the launch of the prototype version of NERIS and onboarded the first six fire departments for initial user testing and evaluation.
Link to News Release: https://www.usfa.fema.gov/about/media-releases/usfa-announces-the-launch-of-the-prototype-version-of-neris/
Stay tuned for updates on upcoming revisions and the release of Version 1 in Summer 2024.
Link to More Information: https://fsri.org/program-update/extended-national-engagement-period-neris-draft-data-framework
Technical Assistance – DHS Civil Rights Evaluation Tool
DHS’s Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties offers a monthly webinar series on information regarding the Civil Rights Evaluation Tool for recipients of DHS financial assistance, including fire grants. The Civil Rights Evaluation Tool is a technical assistance tool aimed at helping recipients comply with federal civil rights obligations as a condition of receiving federal financial assistance. Topics for the series include an Overview of the Civil Rights Evaluation Tool, Frequently Asked Questions, Developing a Nondiscrimination Policy and Complaint Procedures, Developing Language Access Policies and Procedures, and Developing Disability Access Policies and Procedures. Additional information can be found at the Civil Rights Resources for Recipients of DHS Financial Assistance.
May Fire Prevention Message
Key message: Home Fire Sprinkler Awareness
It’s important to help the public understand that home fire sprinklers can prevent fire casualties and devastating home damage by putting out flames quickly. Sprinklers can limit the damage caused by smoke and fire and are less damaging than water damage caused by firefighting hose lines.
- Fire sprinklers and smoke alarms reduce the risk of dying in a fire by 82%.
- The risk to firefighters is much less. Sprinklers reduce the heat, flame, and smoke from a fire.
- Home fire sprinklers are more sensitive to heat than those found in businesses or industrial buildings. This means the fire will be detected much sooner.
- You can buy home fire sprinklers in different colors. Some can be installed flush with the ceiling, so you will hardly notice they are there.
- Home fire sprinklers only spray when the temperature in the room rises quickly. The sprinkler above the fire is the only one that sprays.
- Home fire sprinklers can be connected to the home water supply. They require less water than business and industrial systems.
- A sprinkler costs about $1.35 per square foot in a new home. This cost is about the same as upgraded cabinets or carpet.
- Installing a sprinkler system has the potential to lower insurance rates by 5-15% by meeting code requirements.
For more information, please visit the U.S. Fire Administration’s website for Fire Prevention and Community Risk Reduction HERE.
Grants Management Training
Grants Management Technical Assistance
K0705 Fundamentals of Grants Management is a virtual course FEMA offers by to grant recipients. Although not a requirement for accepting an AFG award, the course is designed to assist organizations strengthen their grant management practices. Upon completion of the course, participants will be able to:
- Improve collaboration across disciplines to support integrating grant management functions;
- Review, navigate and apply the applicable Uniform Administrative Requirements and Cost Principles in 2 C.F.R. Part 200, and FEMA Information Bulletins;
- Apply sound practices to increase efficiency and meet grant management priorities;
- Develop or revise policies, procedures and practices in critical areas of grants management and;
- Prepare for federal monitoring and sub-recipient monitoring.
Upcoming Course Offerings:
| Orientation Dates | Course Dates | Course Start Times | Course Host |
| July 9, 10, or 11 | July 15 – Aug. 8, 2024 | 10 a.m. ET | Open Enrollment |
To Apply: National Emergency Training Center Online Admissions Application (fema.gov)
Questions: [email protected]
2024 Procurement Under Grants Training Schedule
FEMA’s Grant Programs Directorate (GPD) is offering a series of virtual trainings on the federal procurement rules applicable to recipients and subrecipients when purchasing in support of a FEMA award or declaration. The one-hour training sessions are being offered through June 2024.
Topics include:
- Standard Procurement Under Grants (PUG) Training – Provides an overview of the federal procurement under grants rules for recipients and subrecipients when purchasing under a FEMA grant.
- Exigency or Emergency Training – Educates recipients and subrecipients on the federal procurement under grants rules applicable when purchasing during exigent or emergency circumstances.
- Prepare Before a Disaster – Focuses on contracting actions recipients and subrecipients can take to prepare before a disaster strikes.
- Procurement Under Grants (PUG) Training- Mitigation Grants – Provides an overview of the federal procurement under grants rules for recipients and subrecipients when purchasing under a FEMA mitigation award.
Target Audience
These training sessions are appropriate for FEMA award recipients and subrecipients, including state, local, tribal, and territorial government personnel; nonprofit organization staff; eligible private entities; and other non-federal entities. This training is also appropriate for FEMA staff.
Delivery Format
The online training will be delivered through Adobe Connect. In advance of a training, please test your connection here. Training dates and access information are provided online at Purchasing Under FEMA Awards Training Schedule or in the linked training announcement. There is no limit to the number of participants in each training.
For additional information and resources on the federal procurement under grants rules, please visit the Procurement Disaster Assistance Team (PDAT) website at www.fema.gov/grants/procurement.
Closeout Report Available in FEMA GO
The closeout module has been released in FEMA GO for recipients that have received AFG awards from 2018 to 2020. Recipients with awards that are no longer open will have 90 days to complete the module. If an award still has an open period of performance (POP), the recipient will have to wait until the POP ends to initiate the closeout process and will have 90 (FY 2019 and before grants) or 120 (FY 2020 and after grants) days to complete the process. Do not start your closeout if there is a chance that more funds or an amendment could be requested as these functions will no longer be available. A tutorial on the closeout process is available by clicking HERE.
For closeout help, contact your Regional Fire Program Representative or the AFG Helpdesk toll-free at 866-274-0960 or email [email protected]
AFGP Success Stories
American Red Cross
Awarded items: 2019, 2020 and 2022 Fire Prevention and Safety
Submitted by: American Red Cross - Community Preparedness and Resilience Services
Home Fire Campaign:
- Goal: Reduce the number of home fire deaths and injuries over the course of the campaign through execution of these cornerstones:
- Door-to-door installation of smoke alarms and completion of fire safety checklists, including promotion of fire sprinklers, and the development of home fire escape plans in at-risk neighborhoods.
- Engagement of youth in classrooms and after school with technology, challenges, and science-based education.
- A marketing and public relations campaign to motivate ordinary people to take action to save themselves, their families, and their neighbors by checking smoke alarms and practicing evacuating.
Campaign Progress as of March 31, 2024:
- Documented Lives Saved: 2,102, including 665 Youth
- Households Made Safer: 1,180,216
- Smoke Alarms Installed: 2,814,145
- DHH Alarms Installed: >20,000
- Escape Plans Created: 1,038,570
- Batteries Replaced: 104,297
- People Served: 3,082,228
- Youth Reached: 2,218,480
- Cities and Towns Served: 20,248
- Partners Engaged: 4,643
- States and Territories: 56